[drivingpairs] snap shackles versus carabiners at pole

I agree with Kathy in general about carabiners at the pole, that snap
shackles are safer.  I'll admit though, that I have used carabiners for pole
hardware for the last seven years, having started with a skepticsm, and
seeing how long they would last.  After the first pair had gone five years,
I replaced them on principal.  Here is what I have used:  they are
carabiners for climbing, that have a screw lock to keep them from opening.
It's not perfect but it works pretty well.  I wouldn't use one without some
form of lock.  And worst of all, these carabiners are aluminum.  No way they
should have held up - I knew that from the start, but wanted to see how they
worked.  It was because of the aluminum I replaced them.

So here is what is on my crab:  snap shackle, link and carabiner.  Despite
having the shackle, I always open the carabiner.

Why do I do this?  I guess I started just to see if the carabiners held up.
I should note that I use it with two vehicles, my competition wagon, where I
use brakes a lot for holding back, and my light Civil War era buggy, which
is nothing to hold back.  If the carabiners were being used with much more
weight on them, they might not have done so well.

I have also had experience with carabiners at the back.  When I was
traveling cross country, I used them to attach traces to singletrees.  I was
pulling 2800 pounds, for 3000 miles.  They worked flawlessly, and these were
the $6.50 hardware store steel variety (which for the reasons Kathy
mentioned, I would not use in the front).  Those suckers are tough, and not
a terrible alternative to snap shackles for those on a tight budget, until
they can afford snap shackles.

As for using the carabiners in the front, I think Kathy is right in advising
people to use the stouter shackle.  I probably should myself (at both ends).

Camptown Dave

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